Author Topic: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?  (Read 1151 times)

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Offline Cliff MatthewsTopic starter

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Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« on: January 06, 2020, 06:35:34 pm »
Maybe what's mentioned as electrolyte here (at about 9:30) is some kind of a catalyst, and after spraying it in, all other operations must be done in a vacuum? The rest is quite entertaining but not too technical for non-chemistry folks like me. - Enjoy
« Last Edit: January 06, 2020, 07:40:04 pm by Cliff Matthews »
 

Offline andy3055

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2020, 07:44:09 pm »
Here is a nice explanation: https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/how-does-lithium-ion-battery-work

I think one can say that the basic principle is like most rechargeable batteries. Only that there are different elements in the construction. I just saw a nice tear down video from Dave just yesterday.
 
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Offline David Hess

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2020, 07:51:02 pm »
The electrolyte has to be an organic solvent and not water because water will electrolyze at the operating voltage of the cell.  Typically the organic solvent is flammable.
 
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Offline Cliff MatthewsTopic starter

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2020, 01:14:41 am »
The electrolyte has to be an organic solvent and not water because water will electrolyze at the operating voltage of the cell.  Typically the organic solvent is flammable.
Since it's sealed, punctures provide both oxygen and if charged, current enough to ignite the solvent. Funny, when the word electrolyte is mentioned I would always associate it with hygrometers for testing auto batteries..  :)
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2020, 03:59:18 am »
I have a word of warning.  If you rip a lithium polymer cell apart, the ones in the foil packages, then do *not* get the liquid electrolyte on your skin.  I have had strong acid and strong base burns which were not as annoying.
 

Online RoGeorge

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2020, 04:07:46 am »
Funny, when the word electrolyte is mentioned I would always associate it with hygrometers for testing auto batteries..  :)

"It's got electrolytes!"  [while doing the hand gesture]   ;D



From the reference movie "Idiocracy" (2006)
 
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Online tszaboo

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2020, 04:56:36 pm »
Lithium cells have fire in them. That seems to be their base ingredient.
 
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Online mikerj

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2020, 05:34:25 pm »
"It's got electrolytes!"  [while doing the hand gesture]   ;D



From the reference movie "Idiocracy" (2006)

It's got what batteries crave!
 

Online Siwastaja

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Re: Do Lithium cells use electrolyte?
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2020, 09:04:00 am »
Lithium cells have fire in them. That seems to be their base ingredient.

Except some Ebay cells, which use Air, or even Earth (sand) as their main ingredient.
 
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